When Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies outmuscled and outskated Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub before beating Linus Ullmark, all head coach Craig Berube could do was smile.

The 22-year-old has grown his game by leaps and bounds since joining the Maple Leafs out of college in 2023. He's added more strength and size, allowing him to understand how to use his strength to get an advantage over his opponents.

In 78 games in the regular season, Knies set a career-high with 29 goals and 29 assists. Oftentimes throughout the year, his teammates marvelled at his strength, with several players calling him "a horse."

Knies has three goals in the Battle of Ontario against Ottawa. His goal on Saturday night showcased the player he is and the player he will continue to grow into as his career goes along.

"That’s a lot of effort, I’ll tell you, he pulled away," Berube laughed proudly on Sunday afternoon during a Zoom availability.

"He’s a powerful guy, and what really impressed me was, it looked like he got in really tight on the goalie, but just pulling that puck back and getting it upstairs. It’s a high-end goal by him. He keeps impressing me, along with impressing everybody in the organization."

It wasn't just the strength and speed which stood out about Knies' goal, though. The forward showcased his knowledge to capitalize on Ottawa's defensive miscommunication at Toronto's blue line.

That's an impressive trait to have, not even three seasons into his NHL career.

"I thought I'd jump and just poke it ahead of them because I thought I had more speed and just try to put it upstairs on him," Knies said Saturday night. "With the adrenaline of a possible breakaway, [I had] a lot of energy."

The Maple Leafs go back home for a massive Game 5, where they have the chance to end Ottawa's season for a second time. As Berube mentioned on Sunday, Toronto's leadership, which has led them all series, will need to do it again.

'Just Keep Going': How The Maple Leafs Will Combat The Seed Of Doubt In Game 5 Against Senators As the Toronto Maple Leafs walked into the dressing room following their 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, they could have thought either of two ways: it was only one loss, or their sky was beginning to fall.

With Knies producing like he is, it's safe to say the "Core Four" is no more, and that it's now a "Cour Five" with the young forward playing a key role. But to end the series, the Maple Leafs will need a full team effort, which they expect to have in Tuesday's Game 5.

"There’s ups and downs throughout the season, and our guys have responded well," Berube said. "I think the leadership has really grown here, and that’s the key, the leadership. Our leaders leading the way. I expect the same in Game 5."

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